(Fishers, IN)  Discovery Station, Conner Prairie’s new indoor play and learning area for children and families, is the perfect solution to cabin fever this winter. Parents can choose to join in the fun or sit back and relax as they watch their children’s imaginations take flight and free-range play spontaneously occur at Discovery Station.

“When we began the planning process for what has become Discovery Station, we knew we wanted to provide interactive enjoyable experiences for children and to provide parents with the opportunity to either observe their children comfortably or learn and play alongside their children,” said David Allison, Discovery Station Experience Manager (aka Chief Fun Engineer). “Based on the reactions from families that visited during our opening weekend, I’d say we met our goal.”

Discovery Station is comprised of five different interconnected play and learning spaces that foster children’s imaginations. Children can pretend to dress up like a farmer and milk a (fiberglass) cow or harvest a garden. They can don an apron and run the cash register at the market or be a train conductor and collect tickets at the train station. Children can dress up in costumes of all kinds and transform themselves into Victorian ladies and gentlemen as well as farm animals such as chickens, sheep and horses.

“I wish there had been an interactive play area like Discovery Station close to our home when my children were growing up,” said Julie Smith, president of the Conner Prairie Alliance, the museum’s volunteer fundraising arm. “The Conner Prairie Alliance is committed to helping Conner Prairie create experiences that foster creative learning for children and families. We are thrilled to have been able to be a part of the creative process and to see first hand where our donation went and what the staff created.”

Even though the outdoor historic areas will be closed February through March, Discovery Station will remain open throughout the winter - Thursdays through Saturdays from 10am-2pm and Sundays from 11am-2pm - in an effort to provide a place where children can find fun ways to connect with Indiana history and parents of play groups can find a soft place to connect with each other and relax.

New Amenities for Discovery Station:

• Evite - Parents can organize and plan playdates easier by sending an email invitation to their friends, located on the Discovery Station web page
• Food - Light lunches and snacks such as: sandwiches, fruit, cheese, pastries and yogurt available for sale
• Mom’s Room – Mothers can take care of their young children comfortably and privately in this new room located just outside of Discovery Station

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Thanks to our sponsor – Conner Prairie Alliance